The Quran In Chronological Order : Meccan Surah

When we open the Quran and read it page by page, we will find the words Makki and Madani placed on the upper corner of every chapter. What does that mean? Set out from the longest to the shortest chapter, Quran is not arranged in chronological order, thus, it is divided into two surahs; Meccan (Makki) and Medinan (Madani). During his time in Mecca, Prophet Muhammad received revelations known as Meccan surah. The phase of revelation lasted about 13 years, from the first revelation up to the Hijrah. Containing 86 chapters, with an emphasis on the foundation of the religion, tolerance, spiritual, monotheism, sins, good deeds, hereafter life, faith and morality, Meccan surah explains about the Musyrik or polytheism without mentioning jihad nor sharia law. The verses are mostly shorter than Medinansurah and started with “Ya ayyuhan-nas (O people!)”, leading people to the core of spirituality with deep thoughts and reflections.

The table below shows the chronological order of the Quran. (Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali)